City leaders seek tweens and teens to serve on the Issaquah Youth Advisory Board. The panel aims to foster advocacy, community service and youth representation on local boards and committees.

Students in grades six through 12 who live within the Issaquah School District boundaries can apply for the board.

Find the application at the city website, www.ci.issaquah.wa.us, and follow the link for “Boards & Commissions” to “Issaquah Youth Advisory Board.” Apply by May 28. Contact city Recreation Coordinator Cathy Jones at 837-3300 or cathyj@ci.issaquah.wa.us to learn more.

Issaquah has been designated a Tree City USA for the 17th consecutive year. The honor from the Arbor Day Foundation recognizes cities dedicated to community forestry.

The foundation also bestowed a Tree City USA Growth Award because the city demonstrated a process in generating publicity for tree-preservation efforts, educating residents and managing the urban forest. The honor recognizes environmental improvement and higher levels of tree care in Tree City USA communities.

The city received the award last year as well.

Mayor Ava Frisinger proclaimed April 19 as Arbor Day in the city. City Open Space Steward Matt Mechler led a tree presentation for the municipal Park Board the following week.

The state Department of Transportation has issued a construction permit for a $6 million trail connector across Interstate 90 at state Route 900

The project aims to complete a trail about 1,600 feet long, between the end of the state Route 900 boardwalk at the eastbound interstate off-ramp on the south side of the interstates and the Sammamish Trail on the north.

The trail will be built on a freestanding structure across the westbound on-ramp, and then continue on the existing bridge structure across the interstate.

Transportation officials said the project should improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists along state Route 900. The project required a DOT permit because work will take place within state right-of-way. Transportation officials will open construction bids for the project May 13.

Most of the project price tag will be funded through grants, including $400,000 from Sound Transit. The city contributed about $341,000.

Police recovered a truck and about $250,000 worth of veterinary equipment in Federal Way last week. The pickup had been stolen in Talus about a week earlier.

Issaquah Police received a report of a stolen 1996 Dodge pickup filled with veterinary equipment — including X-ray and ultrasound equipment, as well as medication — just before noon April 18.

The truck and equipment belong to a Hobart veterinarian, and the truck had been left with a veterinary employee and Issaquah resident. The employee contacted the Issaquah Police Department at about 11:45 a.m. April 18 and reported the truck as missing. Police estimated the loss at $350,000.

Federal Way authorities recovered the vehicle April 25. Issaquah Police said about $100,000 worth of items, including medication, remains missing.

City Council members selected a Bothell contractor to replace water lines beneath the Sycamore neighborhood and along East Sunset Way in late spring.

The council awarded a $354,000 bid to replace about 3,500 feet of deteriorating or undersized water lines.

Officials opened construction bids for the project April 6. The city received 12 bids, and officials recommended the lowest bidder, Mosbrucker Excavating, to the council.

Crews will break ground on the project in May or June, and construction could last up to three months. Because excavation will occur near Issaquah Creek, the city had to approve a special permit for the project in March.

Master carver John Mullen, of Beaver Lake, got choked up as he tried to express his gratitude to those who crafted the Snoqualmie Tribe’s newest canoe.

“I’ve been waiting a long time for this,” he said as he and about 20 others stood in a circle on the beach at Lake Sammamish State Park. He said he was proud of the younger carvers, Jacob Mullen and Wayne Graika, who did the brunt of the work. “The spirit was with them.”

Issaquah school bus drivers are driving for something different this month.

Of course, they’ll still cart your little ones to school and back, but now you can help them as they drive to finance a medical treatment for bus driver Lisa Staley’s 4-year-old granddaughter Lisa, who has cerebral palsy.

“She is such a sweet little girl,” said Staley, an Issaquah driver for 20 years. “She is very bright, very smart, but she has a hard time communicating. She laughs all the time and when she gets upset, she’ll let you know.

“I would just like her to be able to do more on her own,” Staley said. “That’s what we want for all of our kids, to be independent and function in society. I know it won’t happen now, but this is a great start.”

The treatment will cost about $3,500, said driver Cyndi Lampson, and it isn’t covered by the family’s insurance.

The treatment is at the Conductive Learning Center in Grand Rapids, Mich. While there, the girl will undergo conductive education training. The training is specifically for individuals diagnosed with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other motor challenges.

Saddle up those hogs and get ready to ride — the inaugural IMPACT ride is coming to your town.

Whether you come by Harley, Kawasaki or Honda, every rider is welcome to ride to help raise money for children and fathers.

“We want it to be a big splash and a lot of fun,” said ride organizer Tim Ryan, who lives in Issaquah. “Men love bikes, women love bikes and kids like bikes. So, we’re hoping a lot of people join us.”

The ride will take motorcyclists through Renton, Newcastle, Issaquah, Snoqualmie and Sammamish on June 12.

Two organizations Ryan is involved with, the Greater Seattle chapter of IMPACT and the Eastside chapter of All Pro Dads, are sponsoring the ride.

“IMPACT is a community service organization serving men inspired to become better husbands, fathers and leaders,” Ryan said. “IMPACT meetings provide men with ideas, collaboration and tips for improving their marriage relationship, becoming intentional as a dad and inspiration for becoming a more effective leader.”